North Bristol 25 Avonmouth 3
THIS game was billed as a potential Gloucester Premier League title decider as North Bristol and Avonmouth both entered the tie with just one loss in the league, with North leading their visitors by a solitary point.
However, on the day a clinical and professional display from North meant that there was only one team in it.
Avonmouth started brightly and took their pick and drive game to their hosts and North had to defend stoutly. However, they only entered North's 22 twice, kicking and missing one penalty to take a 3-0 lead.
The home side hit back and knew it would only be a matter of time before they scored. 'Mouth defended well and with North turning down kicks at goal to go for touch they strained every muscle to keep North's attacking lineout from scoring.
Skipper Steve Bold linked well here with flyer Jez Sherman and the pack started to exert more and more pressure on the Avonmouth scrum.
North Bristol started to look more and more dangerous with the ball in hand, especially when the diminutive Mike Lewis had it. Martin Lambourne's cheeky grubber from 30 yards out gave centre Ben Walters a run to the line.
After his first touch took the ball just over the try line Walters was taken out when he was in the process of touching the ball down. The referee had no hesitation in awarding the penalty try and Lambourne, who does not miss kicks in front of goal, gave North a 7-3 lead.
At the half North were happy with the lead but knew they were only going at a 50 per cent rate of performance. They raised their game in the second half and Avonmouth struggled to get out of their own territory.
After about ten minutes of the second period Lambourne missed a penalty but made amends when his second grubber of the game allowed lock forward Paul Howell to show his footballing skills to control the ball and then dive over the line for a fine try. Lambourne converted and North led 14-3.
As North continued to increase the pressure a fine back line move after good forward work saw Dan Ridley set up that man Lewis for a try, his tenth of the season. In the final 20 minutes North were in the ascendancy and 'Mouth became more fractious.
First their hooker was sin-binned for a punch and then their second row was red carded for another punch in front of the referee. Lambourne added two penalties following these infractions and this gave North a healthy 25-3 win.
North's pack continued to work well all around the park and held their discipline well in the face of some very aggressive play. Also, the backs tackled ferociously and attacked with venom with the increasingly fitter Jamie Walters getting back to form.
North now face another tough match next week as they travel to Barton Hill in search of another valuable two league points.
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